Does car insurance cover tire blowouts?

Aside from a car collision, having your tire blow out is one of the scariest things that can happen to you behind the wheel. It occurs unexpectedly with a loud popping sound and can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. If this happens to you, it’s worth knowing what you can do.

Will a tire blowout be covered by your insurance? This depends on the type of car insurance you have and how the blowout was caused. Most policies cover tire blowouts caused by a collision, although your insurance might provide coverage under other circumstances. Understanding your car insurance policy can help you know when you are covered and when you aren’t. This article will tell you everything you need to know about tire blowouts and help you understand when you might be able to file an insurance or warranty claim.

Are tire blowouts covered by insurance?

The best full coverage car insurance provides coverage for non-collision damages, so you might wonder if you can submit a claim for a tire blowout. Since they are often preventable, most policies won’t cover a blowout unless it occurs due to collision, vandalism, or theft.

Coverage for a tire blowout will depend on your policy and the circumstances surrounding the incident. If a blowout causes you to collide with another vehicle, the coverage you need is different than what you might need if you hit a tree and only damage your vehicle.

Are tire blowouts covered by liability insurance?

Nearly every state requires you to carry current liability car insurance coverage to cover injury to someone else or their property. If your tire blows out and you collide with another vehicle, your liability policy should cover damages to the other person or their car resulting from the collision.

Since liability coverage doesn’t apply to your vehicle, it won’t pay for your tire replacement or damages to your car. While you aren’t required to have other forms of insurance, they can come in handy if you experience a tire blowout.

Are tire blowouts covered by collision insurance?

A blowout can often cause you to lose control and crash into a tree, wall, or other objects that can harm your vehicle. If this happens, the damages from the car accident are generally something that the collision insurance on your car covers, even if the actual blowout is not.

In this case, your insurer could cover repairs that your vehicle needs after the accident, but you would still be responsible for the cost of replacing the tire.

Are tire blowouts covered by comprehensive insurance?

Comprehensive car insurance coverage protects policyholders from costs associated with non-collision damage, so you might wonder if tire blowouts are covered. If you experience a blowout, you could be stuck paying the entire cost of the repair.

According to most insurance companies, you can prevent blowouts by taking proper care of your tires. Even if you have a comprehensive policy, an insurer could still deny your claim if it considers the cause to be negligent maintenance.

Become familiar with your policy’s rules regarding tire blowouts to determine whether your insurance company will accept your claim. If you have a warranty, it could cover the damages of a blowout caused by a defective tire.

Can my tire warranty help?

New tires often come with warranties that provide coverage for the cost of your tires under certain conditions. While it depends on your specific warranty agreement, most cover:

• Manufacturing defects
• Premature wear
• Damage caused by road hazards

In addition to standard manufacturer’s warranties, you can also consider purchasing protection against road hazards. You can purchase a road hazard warranty from manufacturers or retailers to cover the cost of tire damage from driving over glass, nails, or other debris. Learn more about if car insurance covers road debris.

If your tire ruptures, you should understand whether your insurance policy or warranty can cover the cost of any damages. Understanding what to do and having clear steps to follow can help in the event of a blowout.

How much is a tire warranty?

The cost of your tire warranty can depend on several factors, including the price of your tires, the type of protection you are purchasing, and the warranty provider.

In most cases, you can expect to pay between 10-12% of the total cost of the tires for the protection. For example, if you spend $150 on your tire, you might pay between $15 and $18 on your warranty.

How do I file a warranty claim?

Contact your warranty provider or manufacturer to submit a claim. Most companies allow you to reach a representative by phone or email, and in some cases, you might be able to claim your warranty in person.

To submit your claim, you should be able to provide proof of purchase for your warranty or tires. You will also need to prove that you completed proper maintenance by showing paperwork from regularly scheduled tire rotations.

Consider keeping good records of any vehicle maintenance so you don’t have to search for receipts or documentation to submit your warranty claim.

Learn more about filing a car insurance claim here.

What should I do if I experience a tire blowout?

Experiencing a tire blowout is scary, and it can be hard to think clearly about what you should do. Try to stay calm, turn on your hazard lights, and resist the urge to slam the brakes. Braking hard might cause you to veer into other lanes of traffic and potentially cause a collision.

Instead, accelerate slightly for a few seconds to stabilize the vehicle, then release the accelerator to allow the car to coast to a stop and steer safely toward the right shoulder.

After a tire blowout, don’t wait to contact your insurance or warranty company to avoid potential claim delays.

Learn about how to drive safely in bad weather for more tips that can help protect your tires.

Are tire blowouts covered by insurance? A Final Thought

Tire blowouts are sudden, scary situations that can lead to dangerous and costly accidents. Understanding how and why tires rupture and how to prevent it can help you take action to avoid experiencing a blowout yourself. Be prepared by knowing when you can count on your insurance or tire warranty to help.